Signal device



P. ROUSSEY.

SIGNAL DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12, 1920.

,356,472. Patented oath 19,v 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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wlmass; ATTORNEY P. ROUSSEY.

SIGNAL DEVICLE. APPLICATION'FILED MAR. 12, 1920.

Patenfed 001; 19, 1920.

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I ."jmazzo" WITNESS:

UNITED STATES PATENT ormcs.

PAUL RO'U'SSEY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

SIGNAL DEV ICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 19, 1920.

Application filed March 12, 1920. Serial No. 365,316.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PAUL ROUSSEY, a citizen of the United States, residin at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and tate 6 of New York, have invented new and'use ful Improvements in Signal Devices, of

which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to signal devices.

More particularly, it relates to that class of 10 signals which are used in con'unction with internal combustionengines. he device is to be used upon an automobile, which embodies the' type of engine mentloned.

' The principal object of the present in- .15 vention is to produce a device which embodies a signal operatively connected with means thatis responsive to the force of compression of' an internal combustion en-.

gine, for not only moving the signal to be .20 exposed to view from its normal position of trating the relative disposition of the principal parts of the invention.

Fig. 2, is an elevation illustrating a man ner in which the signal may be normally concealed.

Fig. 3, is a plan view of the control valve.

and its connections.

Fig. 4, is a longitudinal sectional.view

40 taken on the 1ine'44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the. line 5-5, of Fig. 4. Fig. 6, is a rear elevation of the mean which actuates the si a1. o Fig. 7 is a centra vertical sectional view taken on the line 77 of Fig. 6. v

Fig. 8, is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9, is a diagrammatic view, illustrating the scheme ofthe'invention, generally.

The device. ofthe'present invention con.- sists generally of a signal; means including a cylinder having a piston operable therein which is connected to the s1gnal the piston being responsiveto the force of compression of an internal combustion en-' inder by a bushin into the opening eft by the or inary test gihe, in conjunction with which the device is used; a passage which extends from the engine cyllnder to the first mentioned cylinder; a control valve in the said passage; 30

which valve is o eratively connected to the foot brake peda a'device for overcoming the action of suction of the en ine yet at the same t me permitting the rorce of compression of the engine to have effect; and means for effecting the reciprocation of the signal within certain prescribed limits, While the signal is exposed to view.

' Referring now to the drawing, it will be seen, that the engine cylinder 10, is connect- 7 ed to the cylinder llilforming a part of the means for effecting t e actuation of the signal 12, by a passage X formed by divers 'devices to be hereinafter described, it being formed principally by a tube 13, made up from suitable materials. The tube 13 has one end thereof connected to the engine cyl- 14, which ma be fitted valve in present use in connection with the engine cylinder. These test valves are of standard make consequently the opening left by each when removed, is in all cases of one size-regardless of the type of engine. The signal 12 is preferably arranged at the rear of the vehicle, at some conspicuous location, and is normally concealed from view. In the present instance the signal 12 is concealed y the license plate P which usually carries means of attachment. The license plate in fact, is in its nature a. support, and has secured thereto a casing 15. The cylinder 11 is arranged within the casing 15. A piston 16 is arranged for movement-within said cylinder 11. he piston 16 is provided wth a rod 17 and secured to the upper end thereof, which protrudes from the cylinder 11, is a bracket 18, and this bracket 18 carries the signal 12. A convolute spring 19 is interposed between the piston 16 and the 100,

head20 of the cylinder 11. The passage -X between the cylinder 10 and the cylinder 11 is controlled by a valve 21, the plug 22 of which, is provided with an extension, which has formed therewith or otherwise secured thereto a lever 23. I The plug 22 is held by the normal tendency of a spring 24 in such a position as to be non-obstructive to the passage X. A flexible element 25 connects the lever 23 with the brake foot 1 pedal 26. The normal non-braking position ofthe pedal 26 is such as to constrain the element 25 to hold the plug 22 in such a position as to obstructthe passage X. Upon movement of the pedal 26 to a braking position, it should be understood that, the spring 24 will move the plug 22 to its nonobstructing position. The spring 24 functions immediately the pedal 26 is moved to but a small degree, consequently the signal will be brought to view as the vehicle is merely being slowed and does not require that the pedal be pushed entirely to the limit of its inward braking movement before the signal will be ex osed. The flexible element 25 or its equivalent may be used to allow extra movement of the foot pedal 26 subsequent to that which is suflicient to effeet the exposition of the signal 12. The casing of the valve 21 is provided with a part 27 through which the pressure behlnd the piston 16 finds egress to permit the s1 nal 12 to lower to its position of concea ment.

In order that the signal 12 may be made to move to a position of exposition; and in order that the force of compression derived from within the engine upon the compression of the piston operating within the particular cylinder of the engine to which the device is connected; and in order that the signal may not be completely moved downwardly to a position of concealment there is provided in the passage a device 28 which includes a casing 29. Arrange internally of the casin 29,115 a globular element 30, which is a apted to permit the force of compression to pass to the cylinder 11, but which prevents the force of suction of the engine from affecting" the piston 16. The casing 29 is provided with a transverse wall having an opening therein, and a seat 31, which receives the element 30 on the suction stroke of the engine piston. A convolute spring 32 is interposed between the element 30 and a by-pass member 33. This spring 32 is sufiicientl strong to overcome the force of compression enterin the passage X upon the explosionstro e of the engine piston, but is not strong enough to overcome the force of compression of the compression stroke of the engine piston, consequently the signal is only affected by the compression brought to bear-by the compression stroke of the engine piston.

In order that the signalfimay-jfbe continuously moved up and downf'jat 'the time it is exposed to view and within certain prescribed limits, the wal-lof thecylinder '11 is provided with an aperture 34.' This aperture 34 is arranged in the walllofthe cylinder 11 in such a position so that excess pressure within the cylinder llfwhich accumulates by reason of the successive compression strokes of the engine piston, may find egress through said aperture 34, and when the pressure within the cylinder falls below a predetermined degree, the piston 16, by reason of the spring 19, will be moved downwardly past the aperture 34, consequently the signal 12 will be moved downwardly. The signal remains in an intermediate position only long enough to be raised again by the increase of pressure within' the cylinder 11 caused by the timely succeeding stroke of the engine piston. he reciprocation of the signal 12 continues until the plug 22 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing. Suitable springs S are employed for cushioning the action of the ressure upon the piston 16 in moving the signal 12 to view.

If desired provision may be made for illuminating the signal 12 at night. In the drawing there has been shown .an arm 35 which is connected to the upper end of the piston rod 17. The arm 35 actuates a circuit closer 36 arranged in acircuit with suitable batteries and a lamp 37. The lamp is disposed in a position so as to readily illuminate thesignal 12 when the lamp is lighted.

hat isclaimed as new is 1. In a device as characterized, a normally concealed signal, means responsive to the force of compression of an engine for effecting the exposition of said signal to view, and means for efiecting reciprocation of said signal while ex osed to view.

2. In a device as c aracterized, a normally concealed signal, means responsive to the force of compression of an engine, said means including a spring valve having a lever, a foot brake pedal, a flexible element connecting said foot pedal'and said valve lever, said valve being opened when the said pedal is moved for braking action, andsaid valve being closed when said pedal is in a non-braking position, and means for effecting the reciprocation of said signal while exposed to view.

3. In a device as characterized, a normally concealed signal, means responsive to the force of compression of an engine including a cylinder having a piston operable therein to which said signal is connected; a passage leading from the cylinder of the engine to said firrst cylinder, a device in the passage for overcoming .the suction action of the engine and 'for permittin the force of compression of the engine to l iave egress to said first cylinder to actuate said piston;

. of compression of the engine to have egress 'to said first cylinderto actuate said piston;

signal, pneumatic compression means for effecting the exposition of said signal to View, and for reciprocating the signal while exposed, and a motor control part for eifecting the operation of said pneumatic suction means.

6.111 a device as characterized for a motor driven vehicle, a normally concealed signal, pneumatic compression means for signature.

effecting the exposition of said signal to View, and for reciprocating the signal while exposed, a motor control part for effecting the operation of said pneumatic suction means, and a compensating operative connection between said pneumatic suction means and said motor control part.

7. In a device as characterized for a motor driven vehicle, a normally concealed signal, means responsive to the force of compression of the motor of the vehicle for efi'ecting the exposition of said si nal to view and forretracting the signal w ile exposed, retractile springs forming a part of 'said means for efi'ecting the concealment of said signal, and a motor control part for effecting the operation of said means.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my PAUL ROUSSEY. 

